Central Middlesex would be a centre for planned or elective operations under the plans, and Hammersmith a specialist hospital, while Ealing and Chelsea and Westminster would be local hospitals.

Option C has Chelsea and Westminster, Ealing, Hillingdon, Northwick Park and St Mary's hospitals as the major hospitals.

Mark Spencer, medical director for Shaping a healthier future, said: "The important thing for us to do now is to look at all the issues raised during the consultation and address them as we review and develop our proposals."

The health trust's final recommendations are expected to be considered by the secretary of state for health in February next year.